NO POISON FOUND

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1933, Page 5

NO POISON FOUND

MARION ROSSE CASE. MAUNDY GREGORY MENTIONED. VERDICT LEFT OPEN. (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 19. At the inquest into the death of Mrs Edith Marion Rosse, who died last September, wife of Mr Frederick Rosse, a musical composer, her housekeeper said that Mrs Rosse became suddenly ill after lunch on September 3, after which she made a will leaving everything to Mr Maundy Gregory, who in February last was imprisoned in connection with the obtaining of honours.

A servant gave evidence that the housekeeper attended to the food given Mrs Rosse, and that Mr Gregory did not interfere. Sir Bernard Spilsbury, Home Office pathologist, said he found no cause of death. Dr. Roche Lynch, Home Office analyst, also gave evidence that the organs did not reveal poison. An accountant said that he superintended Mrs Rosse’s and Mr Gregory’s financial affairs. Mrs Rosse 'died worth £IB,OOO. Mr Gregory had previously a good position, but at the time of Mrs Rosse’s death, owing to litigation, owed several thousands, and was also overdrawn at one bank, but had obtained credit from another. Mrs Rosse previously told witness that Mr Gregory had been pressing her for financial assistance.

A police inspector gave evidence that he served a subpeona on Mr Gregory’s solicitors, demanding his attendance today. He understood Mr Gregory was in Paris. Mr Frampton, Mr Gregory’s solicitor, said that Mr Gregory had left the country owing to civil matters, Mr Vines, representing the relatives contended that Mr Gregory’s evidence was vital. He urged an adjournment of the inquest. The coroner said there was no useful purpose in adjourning. Sir Bernard Spilsbury’s and Dr. Lynch’s evidence indicated that no poison was found or ever would be found. Only an open verdict was possible, and he gave his verdict accordingly.

Mrs Rosse, who was 39 years old, was the first wife of Mr Frederick Rosse, a musical composer. She was a close friend of J. Maundy Gregory, of Hyde Park Terrace, London, who, on February 21 last, was sent to prison . for two months, and ordered to pay a fine of £3O and costs for an offence against the law in connection with honours, it being proved that he had attempted to obtain from £IO,OOO to £12,000 from Lieutenant-Commander Leake in payment for the “working” of titulary recognition. Mrs Rosse died in Gregory’s London home on September 14, In her will she left estate of the gross value of £18,863, with net personality of £18,699. All was loft to Gregory. Death was certified at the time as having been due to cerebral hemorrhage and chronic Bright’s disease. Mrs Rosse was buried in Bisham churchyard, near Maidenhead. i

A sensation was caused in April last when the Home Office ordered the exhumation of the body. At the opening of the inquest Mr Frederick Rosse stated in evidence that he and his wife resided in the lower half of Maundy Gregory’s house for two years. ' Then they were legally separated. “Athough my wife possessed a fortune I contributed half my income toward her support,” said witness. “It was never under £364 a year. She remained in Gregory’s house, passing as his sister.” Mr Rosse told journalists that the inquiry into Mrs Rosso’s death was started at the request of himself and relatives.